Posted on by Digital Media Service

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured on Thursday (October 17) that it is ready to assist the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who will be repatriated from Lebanon amid the rising tension in the region.
“Meron tayong mga tulong na ipapahatid karagdagan sa ipapamahagi na rin ng Department of Migrant Workers . Sa kasalukuyan, ina-assess ng Field office NCR yong tulong na ibabahagi at mamaya magtutungo tayo sa Terminal 1 ng NAIA para salubungin itong mga kababayan natin who have been repatriated,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, told reporters during the Thursday Media Forum on October 17 at the New Press Center.
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the agency will join other concerned government agencies to welcome the 48 OFWs who are scheduled to arrive later in the day.
As an initial response, DSWD social workers will be deployed to conduct assessment and interviews to determine appropriate assistance for the repatriates.
“Mahalaga lang kasi ngayon ay makausap ng ating mga social workers ang mga repatriated OFWs, ma-determina natin  kung ano yung mga pangangailangan nila and from there, we can determine the appropriate assistance,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
Subject to the social workers’ assessment, the DSWD official said the cash aid is not only limited to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) or the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP), but may vary based on the unique cases of the repatriates.
“Our social workers need to interview itong mga repatriated overseas Filipino workers, because AICS and AKAP, particularly cash assistance, may be just among the interventions… Pwede rin naman kasi na livelihood dahil matagal nga silang mawawalan ng trabaho,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
With the impact of their sudden repatriation, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the agency also considers extending assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
“Based on the existing guidelines of the SLP, they may receive Php15,000 if they enter into the microenterprise development track,” the DSWD official pointed out.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao emphasized that the agency will work with other government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to mobilize a holistic approach to the needs and concerns of the repatriated OFWs. #
Tagalog Version

DSWD handang magbigay ng tulong sa OFWs na lumikas sa Lebanon

Nakahanda ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na bigyan ng tulong ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) na pinauwi ng bansa dahil sa lumalalang tensyon sa Lebanon.

Sa ginanap na Thursday Media Forum sa DSWD New Press Center, sinabi ni DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, “meron tayong mga tulong na ipapahatid karagdagan sa ipapamahagi na rin ng Department of Migrant Workers . Sa kasalukuyan, ina-assess ng Field office NCR yong tulong na ibabahagi at mamaya magtutungo tayo sa Terminal 1 ng NAIA para salubungin itong mga kababayan natin who have been repatriated.”

Ayon sa kanya, kasama ang DSWD at iba pang government agency na sasalubong sa may 48 OFWs na darating ngayong araw (Huwebes) , matapos itong pabalikin ng Pilipinas dahil sa gulo sa Lebanon.

Bilang inisyal na tugon naman para sa pagbibigay ng assistance, magsasagawa ng initial assessment at interview ang mga social workers upang ma-determina ang nararapat na tulong na ibibigay para sa mga pinabalik na OFWs.

“Mahalaga lang kasi ngayon ay makausap ng ating mga social workers ang mga repatriated OFWs, ma-determina natin kung ano yung mga pangangailangan nila and from there, we can determine the appropriate assistance,”paglilinaw pa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Nilinaw din ni Asst Sec. Dumlao, hindi aniya limitado sa cash assistance o tulong pinansyal mula sa Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) or Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP), ang maaaring ibigay sa mga nasabing OFWs, nakadepende rin umano ito sa magiging assessment ng social worker kung ano ang nararapat na igawad na tulong.

“Our social workers need to interview itong mga repatriated overseas Filipino workers, because AICS and AKAP, particularly cash assistance, may be just among the interventions… Pwede rin naman kasi na livelihood dahil matagal nga silang mawawalan ng trabaho,” sabi ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Kabilang sa kinukunsidera ng DSWD ay ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

“Based on the existing guidelines of the SLP, they may receive Php15,000 if they enter into the microenterprise development track,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.

Makikipagtulungan din aniya ang ahensya sa iba pang sangay ng gobyerno kabilang na ang local government units (LGUs) upang mas matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga nagsibalik na OFWs. #